Hidden Beach of the Week: Jericoacoara, Brazil

Far removed from the sultry scene on many of Brazil’s beaches near Rio de Janeiro, Jericoacoara is a slow-moving, old-fashioned idyll on the South American country’s northeastern coast. Jeri, as locals affectionately know the beach, did not have electricity until about 20 years ago, and the village still experiences the occasional power outage. Visitors must endure an eight-hour bus ride, followed by a scenic off-road trek before finally arriving at Jeri’s sandy streets. Yes, the village streets are sand.

Jeri receives strong winds from Africa, making it a favorite destination of wind surfers, and the beach also features a giant dune, from which sunsets are particularly striking. The village of Jericoacoara has long subsisted on fishing, and fishermen still go about their work today. Although Jeri has been slowly changing since modern amenities were introduced, the village has not yet been overrun by tourist buses or luxury hotels. Simplicity still reigns.

In 1999, The New York Times featured Jeri in its travel section, with detailed observations of the town, “a smattering of about a dozen streets … surrounded by green hills and vast sand dunes.” The locals are soccer-obsessed, the dishes are simply rice, beans and fish, the skies are clear and starry and the streets are all sand. “Wherever you are in Jericoacoara, you never really leave the beach,” said the author.

Jeri has some quirky natural features, such as the Rock with a Hole and the Sunset Dune. PanMap advises how to plan your days in the village and at the beach, and which daytrips are worthwhile, including Blue Lake and Tatajuba Beach. View several 360-degree panoramic images of Jeri’s aquamarine waters, terra cotta colored sands and bright yellow dwellings.

Getting to Jeri is not exactly easy, but its “attraction is partially its isolation,” according to Frommer’s. The travel guidebook’s Brazil edition features this chapter on Jeri, with details on how to get there, required documents and recommended accommodations.